Speculum for examination of cavity

ABSTRACT

A speculum comprising a first grooved angle portion of approximately 270* and a second similar portion detachably coupled with a locking mechanism so that an angle leg of each of the two angle portions can be locked in approximately parallel position with adjustable separation to form the speculum probe.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Sture Lindgren [56} References Cited 6, Karlaplcn; I UNITED STATES PATENTS W'" 0,462,827 1 1/1891 Edwards 128/17 1,635,137 7/1927 Mullens..... 128/346 pp 769,301 2,481,007 9/1949 Dugdale 128/1 7x [22] Filed Oct. 21, 1968 1,793,457 2/1931 Adams 287/14 [451 F E 1971 3,332,414 7/1967 Gasper 128/17 [32] Pnonty Oct. 20, 1967 I. [33] Sm Pnmary ExammerR1chard A. Gaudet 31 407/ 7 Assistant Examiner-Channing L. Pace Attorney-Darby and Darby [54] SPECULUM FOR EXAMINATION OF CAVITY 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. 128/17, ABSTRACT: A speculum comprising a first grooved angle 287/3, 287/14 portion of approximately 270 and a second similar portion [51] Int. CL A6lb 1/32 detachably coupled with a locking mechanism so that an angle [50] Field of Search 128/17, 18, leg of each of the two angle portions can be locked in approxl 287/(W.N.) 4259, (W.N.) 4759, (W.N.) 4988 mately parallel position with adjustable separation to form the speculum probe.

PATENTEDHAR 9I97| 3,568,665

' sum 2 or 3 PATENTED MAR 919m SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG.8

FIGS

' FIGJOQ SPEEC UMJM FUR EXAMTNATIION F CAVITY This invention relates to a speculum, i.e., an instrument intended for use in the examination of cavities, preferably of body cavities. Instruments of this type have long been used for the examination and treatment of body cavities. Different embodiments of specula have been presented previously in the patent specifications Germany 139,871, US. Pat. No. 3,110,305 and France 273,809. Said instruments are groove shaped and given a certain definite .width of the grooves, which involves that the application of the instruments at times can be uncomfortable. Furthermore, the adjusting means required for the adjustment to a suitable position when two groove-shaped parts are being used, is rather complicated partially owing to the fact that the instruments usually are intended to be applied several times. This involves high initial and maintenance costs.

The device according to the invention differs from said conventional specula in that it comprises a speculum, which by coupling elements can be connected with a second similar speculum and, thus, from g a self-maintaining device. The speculum according to the invention differs from conventional constructions also in another important respect.

The novel speculum has the shape of an angle piece, the two angle legs of which are given groove shape, and one angle leg at least partially is made narrower than the other angle leg. Hereby a variability of the instrument is obtained, which heretofore has not been possible. Owing to the fact that the coupling elements are placed at some distance from the geometric angle point, the desired displacement of the ends of the angle legs automatically is obtained when two angle pieces are being assembled. Thanks to its simple construction, the device is a very strong and robust instrument, which'requires only simple manipulations for its assembly, adjustment and use. The instrument is very well suited for mass production and thereby renders possible a low piece price. As a result thereof, the speculum can be thrown away after its use, and the hygiene can be improved while eliminating maintenance costs. The speculum according to the invention is characterized in that it has the shape of an angle piece with both angle legs being formed as grooves, but one angle leg at least partially being narrower than the other leg, and at the angle point is provided with coupling elements for being adapted to be connected pivotally and lockable in a certain position with a second similar angle piece.

An expedient embodiment of the speculum according to the invention is described below in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 shows two assembled specula seen from the side, FIG. 2 shows one of the angle pieces seen in the direction to the angle point, FIG. 3 shows the central portion of the second angle piece with the oblong hole and the sawtooth shaped and smooth paths, FIG. 4- shows how said paths appear seen from the side, FIG. 5 shows how one of the angle pieces is brought to abut either to the locking means or releasing means, FlGS. 68 show the handle being formed as a container seen from the side and from above, respectively, with and without inserted angle piece, FIG. 9 shows the cover of the container, and FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the pins and holes for assembling the two specula.

The speculum comprises an angle piece 1 with both angle legs 3, 4?- being shaped as grooves, but one angle leg 3 at least partially being narrower than the other angle leg. The grooves form with each other angles of approximately 270. The angle piece l and another angle piece 2 are so provided with coupling elements that two angle pieces can be connected pivotally with one another and be locked in a certain position. Of two assembled angle pieces the one piece 1 is provided with pins 5 on the extension of the bisector adjacent the angle joint, said pins being shaped and placed so as to be adapted for insertion into oblong holes 6 placed with the center on the bisector adjacent the angle point of the second angle piece 2. The two angle pieces, furthermore, are provided with locking means arranged so as to prevent pivotal motion at least in one direction when the pins 5 are attached to one of the ends of the oblong holes 6. Said locking means comprise projections 7 mounted adjacent the edges of the grooves on the one angle piece 1, and substantially arcuate and sawtooth-shaped paths on the second angle piece on both sides of the angle point. It is also possible to allow two assembled angle pieces to pivot freely in relation to one another. This is achieved by release means, which in the embodiment shown are smooth paths 9, over which the projections 7 slide when the pins 5 are attached to the other ends of the oblong holes 6. For retaining during operation the pins in either of their two positions in the oblong holes, said holes are provided with snap means. This was achieved by giving the holes a smaller width at the center than at the ends and by extending the holes in both directions with narrow slots 10 for effecting springing action. If desired, a speculum may be provided with a detachable handle in the form of a container 1 l which also can be utilized for collecting secretion. The container is provided in its interior with ledges 12 against which the edges of the grooves in the angle pieces are brought to abut when the handle is being applied.

The invented speculum can be given other embodiments within the scope of the claims, for example in respect. of the locking means and release means, without thereby abandoning the idea of the invention. It is, for example, possible to provide the pins 5 with an oval head 13 as shown in FIG. 10 and to form the holes for receiving such pins with oval head like an angularly curved slot 14 in the way also shown in FIG. 10a. The pins and holes being shaped in this way, the two angle pieces can be separated from each other only ,when they are in the position shown in FIG. 10a. In this position shown in FIG. 1101;, the oval pins heads 13 extend over the opposite slot edges and thereby render the separation of the two angle pieces 1 and 2 impossible.

We claim:

1. A speculum for the examination of'a body cavity or the like, comprising a first angle piece with both angle legs being formed with grooves, butone angle leg at least partially being narrower than the other angle leg, a second similar angle piece and coupling means near the angle point of each of said angle pieces for connecting pivotally and locking said first and second angle pieces in selected positions wherein either the narrower legs or the wider legs of the respective angle pieces are in substantially parallel relation.

2. A speculum according to claim 1, Characterized in that the grooved angle legs form with each other angles of approximately 270, and are coupled together in a manner such that the respective supplementary angles thereof do not overlap.

3. A speculum according to the claim 11, characterized in that the coupling element of one of two assembled angle pieces is on the bisector or its extension adjacent the angle point and comprises pins and the coupling element of said second angle piece comprises oblong holes located with the center on the bisector or its extension adjacent the angle point on the second angle piece, and that the angle pieces include locking means for preventing pivotal motion at least in one direction when the pins reside in one end of the oblong holes, and with release means for rendering possible free pivotal motion of the angle pieces when the pins reside in the other ends of the oblong holes.

4. A speculum according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking means comprise projections mounted on one angle piece at some distance from the angle point adjacent the edges of the grooves, and substantially arcuate and sawtooth-shaped paths mounted on the second angle piece on both sides of the angle point.

5. A speculum according to claim 3, characterized in that the release means are smooth paths mounted on the second angle piece adjacent the sawtooth-shaped paths.

6. A speculum according to claim 3, characterized in that the oblong holes, for effecting snapping action at the displacement of the pins in the holes, are given smaller width at the center than at the ends, and that the holes, for effecting springing actiomare extended in both directions by narrow slots.

7. A speculum according to claim 1,- characterized in that the angle pieces are unitary bodies of synthetic resinous material.

8. A speculum according to claim 1, further including a ing secretion or the like.

9. A speculum according to claim 8, characterized in that said container is provided in its interior with ledges against which the edges of the grooves in the angle pieces are brought detachable handle constituting a container internallyshaped 5 to abut when the handle is being p to be engaged on one of the legs of the angle pieces for collect- 

1. A speculum for the examination of a body cavity or the like, comprising a first angle piece with both angle legs being formed with grooves, but one angle leg at least partially being narrower than the other angle leg, a second similar angle piece and coupling means near the angle point of each of said angle pieces for connecting pivotally and locking said first and second angle pieces in selected positions wherein either the narrower legs or the wider legs of the respective angle pieces are in substantially parallel relation.
 2. A speculum according to claim 1, Characterized in that the grooved angle legs form with each other angles of approximately 270*, and are coupled together in a manner such that the respective sUpplementary 90*, angles thereof do not overlap.
 3. A speculum according to the claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element of one of two assembled angle pieces is on the bisector or its extension adjacent the angle point and comprises pins and the coupling element of said second angle piece comprises oblong holes located with the center on the bisector or its extension adjacent the angle point on the second angle piece, and that the angle pieces include locking means for preventing pivotal motion at least in one direction when the pins reside in one end of the oblong holes, and with release means for rendering possible free pivotal motion of the angle pieces when the pins reside in the other ends of the oblong holes.
 4. A speculum according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking means comprise projections mounted on one angle piece at some distance from the angle point adjacent the edges of the grooves, and substantially arcuate and sawtooth-shaped paths mounted on the second angle piece on both sides of the angle point.
 5. A speculum according to claim 3, characterized in that the release means are smooth paths mounted on the second angle piece adjacent the sawtooth-shaped paths.
 6. A speculum according to claim 3, characterized in that the oblong holes, for effecting snapping action at the displacement of the pins in the holes, are given smaller width at the center than at the ends, and that the holes, for effecting springing action, are extended in both directions by narrow slots.
 7. A speculum according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle pieces are unitary bodies of synthetic resinous material.
 8. A speculum according to claim 1, further including a detachable handle constituting a container internally-shaped to be engaged on one of the legs of the angle pieces for collecting secretion or the like.
 9. A speculum according to claim 8, characterized in that said container is provided in its interior with ledges against which the edges of the grooves in the angle pieces are brought to abut when the handle is being applied. 